The Arcane Tower.

  And other scholarly pursuits.

  If there’s an Ivory Tower where mages from other worlds gather to study and advance everything they deem valuable, then in this world, there’s Arcanium.

  Within that vast collective, those granted the freedom to move and research at will delve into excavation and study, developing and discovering new things.

  To eliminate the minor incidents and obstacles that arise in the process, they wield the power bestowed upon them without a shred of hesitation.

  Thus, the Magnificor—one of the few beings who bring immense profit and progress to Arcanium through the concepts and tools they create.

  "I see..."

  Realizing that this individual had been in contact with Damian, the previously unsolvable puzzle began to come together, and the missing pieces of the puzzle started to fall into place.

  And Damian’s actions, which had been utterly incomprehensible, began to make a sliver of sense.

  Magnificor’s thoughts are more fickle than boiling porridge.

  If it weren’t for my experience in Ether Punk, I’d still be lost, like a ship wandering a pitch-black sea without a lighthouse, searching for answers.

  Even with some answers in hand, there were still parts that didn’t make sense.

  It doesn’t seem like he originally aspired to be a doctor...

  It appeared to глазами be a decision made after a profound change of heart due to an unforgettable experience.

  Even so, he had helped people with skills surpassing those of most doctors.

  What could have driven Damian to such lengths?

  Hmm...

  Once my thoughts strayed from their original purpose, they snowballed, gaining momentum and growing larger, refusing to stop.

  Now’s not the time.

  Instead of fixating on questions without answers, I turned my attention to examining other records.

  This is odd...

  Damian had gone to desperate lengths to make contact with Magnificor.

  Just when it seemed he was about to embark on some grand plan, he was hastily preparing a refuge far from Belgart.

  I had lived as a player in the world of Ether Punk for over a decade.

  Had I never encountered an NPC like Damian before?

  No... I probably just never crossed paths with him at any point...

  The deeper I delved into the records left in the magical device, the more I uncovered facets of Damian I hadn’t anticipated.

  Questions about the original owner’s identity and purpose swirled in my mind, growing sharper.

  Where did such a being come from? Sigh... If thinking about it could solve anything, I’d have figured it out by now.

  I reminded myself that I didn’t have the luxury of wasting time.

  Most people—Claudia and Gaius included—probably believed that a peaceful, monotonous routine would continue.

  But such hopes were as fleeting as bubbles.

  Change is already underway.

  When I first saw Damian’s records, it didn’t hit me.

  But after seeing the scrap and some time passed, memories of Ether Punk, buried in the flow of time, resurfaced vividly—major events I’d experienced back then.

  There’s a small problem, though...

  I couldn’t pinpoint exactly what point in time this was.

  But based on my long experience in Ether Punk, I could vaguely sense that it was a bit earlier than when the major signs would appear.

  Why do I think that?

  Because the people, unable to endure injustice and hunger, hadn’t yet risen up, shouting the names of the nine gods of the cult, to spark a great rebellion.

  So I need to prepare diligently.

  Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  For now, time is on my side.

  Thus, I spent a full day and a half absorbing information like a madman, doing my utmost to prepare for living as Damian.

  I’ve done the best I can for now. The rest is up to fate...

  I gathered Damian’s belongings from the room: a Bowie knife and a worn coat riddled with holes.

  Is it okay for a doctor to carry these around?

  Clothes sturdy enough to block most blades, exuding reliability.

  A knife too sharp and menacing to be mere surgical tools.

  For a moment, I wondered if Damian had been involved in something unsavory.

  Thinking about it won’t change anything.

  It was too late to back out or change course.

  Since I had no other options, I decided to act on my resolve.

  If I can’t meet Magnificor, and if his knowledge and skills aren’t added to my efforts, every moment will be perilous.

  With that judgment, I prepared to venture out, despite my body not being fully recovered.

  I held a small, orb-shaped magical device—the most basic tool for those who wield magic.

  It was good that it was always ready for use.

  But since its circuits weren’t expanded, its functions were limited, allowing only unreliable magic...

  Well, what can I do?

  It’s far better than nothing, I thought, pushing away the negative thoughts.

  Click

  I practiced gripping and releasing the knife, which I kept within easy reach of my right hand, to avoid fumbling in an emergency.

  It feels incredibly natural, as if I’ve always done this.

  Though I, as myself, had never practiced, it felt more natural than I’d imagined, with no resistance at all.

  Let’s go, being careful not to use the knife unless absolutely necessary...

  With the knowledge and experience from Ether Punk and the memories etched into this body, I judged that there would be few situations I couldn’t handle.

  Thud thud

  "Young master?"

  "I’m feeling too cooped up inside. I thought I’d get some fresh air."

  Claudia, whom I expected to object, nodded without a second’s hesitation, understanding my intent.

  Shake shake

  But the next moment, realizing she had overlooked something, she shook her head vigorously in denial.

  "You’ve only been recovering for a day and a half! There’s no way I can allow it! Who’s to say something like that won’t happen again?"

  To her firm refusal, I responded in a calm voice.

  "I won’t go far—just a quick look around nearby. That should be fine, right?"

  "No! I can’t allow it!"

  Claudia maintained her unyielding stance, refusing to compromise.

  It’s only natural for someone who sees me as family.

  The memories etched into Damian’s body—now mine.

  Family.

  A mother figure.

  An instinctive resistance to saddening Claudia, who was like a sister, welled up within me.

  But I can’t back down. No, if I do, we’ll all die.

  If I missed this chance, who knew when I’d get another opportunity to make contact?

  To meet Magnificor and turn the tide even slightly, I matched Claudia’s resolve with my own.

  "This is important. I have to go. So don’t try to stop me."

  Step

  Grab

  I tried to pass her.

  With surprising strength from her slender frame, Claudia clung to my arm, holding me back.

  "No, Damian! Absolutely not!"

  Ugh!

  Guilt washed over me.

  And instinctively, my body resisted moving forward.

  At this rate...!

  Tears welled in Claudia’s eyes as she lost her composure.

  The resolve I’d steeled myself with before leaving the room began to waver.